I've had the 901 for a couple of weeks now and was concerned with the left channel cutting out when I slowly rotated the volume wheel. I arranged to have mine sent in to Hifiman for them to look at. Then I noticed some posts earlier in this thread that said that this was normal because the volume control is a step attenuator - this symptom will occur between the discrete steps? After reading this I'm thinking that there's no need to send the 901 in. Just looking for some confirmation. Thanks!

I've had the 901 for a couple of weeks now and was concerned with the left channel cutting out when I slowly rotated the volume wheel. I arranged to have mine sent in to Hifiman for them to look at. Then I noticed some posts earlier in this thread that said that this was normal because the volume control is a step attenuator - this symptom will occur between the discrete steps? After reading this I'm thinking that there's no need to send the 901 in. Just looking for some confirmation. Thanks!

Confirmed! If you get channel imbalance between two positions, that's no fault. However, the "clicks" may be hard to detect because of the volume weel is soft-going if you know what I mean.

Confirmed! If you get channel imbalance between two positions, that's no fault. However, the "clicks" may be hard to detect because of the volume weel is soft-going if you know what I mean.

Hi Lars,

Thanks for your feedback! The only drawback to the way the volume control works for me is that my ideal volume often falls in-between steps. I've been able to compensate some by dropping one step down and then turning on high-gain. Seems to get me me closer to the better in-between volume.

I think I'll hold off sending it in then. In all other respects it seems to be working fine.

Thanks for your feedback! The only drawback to the way the volume control works for me is that my ideal volume often falls in-between steps. I've been able to compensate some by dropping one step down and then turning on high-gain. Seems to get me me closer to the better in-between volume.

I think I'll hold off sending it in then. In all other respects it seems to be working fine.

Can try different volume setting on high and low gain respectively and maybe you can find a sweet spot. It was an issue for me originally but I err on the lower volume side and after a few weeks now I actually can hear more subtle details than before with the same volume.

Can try different volume setting on high and low gain respectively and maybe you can find a sweet spot. It was an issue for me originally but I err on the lower volume side and after a few weeks now I actually can hear more subtle details than before with the same volume.

Yeah - I find myself doing the same thing (erring on the lower volume side). Trying to save my hearing

You are not alone. I have the same problem with my fitear 435 as well because they are so sensitive. I just pulled the trigger in the IEM amp card hoping that, since it was assembled with IEMs in mind, it'll give me better control over the volume. I'll let everyone know if it works.

You are not alone. I have the same problem with my fitear 435 as well because they are so sensitive. I just pulled the trigger in the IEM amp card hoping that, since it was assembled with IEMs in mind, it'll give me better control over the volume. I'll let everyone know if it works.

That's the amp card that I currently have - getting the "perfect" volume is still a little difficult.

You are not alone. I have the same problem with my fitear 435 as well because they are so sensitive. I just pulled the trigger in the IEM amp card hoping that, since it was assembled with IEMs in mind, it'll give me better control over the volume. I'll let everyone know if it works.

I have volume issues too on my Se5...so I go high or low depending on the mood. I am currently considering the 435. How do you like them in general and paired with 901? Do you have any other top iems to compare? You can contact me by PM if it goes too much out of the 901 subject....thanks

I have volume issues too on my Se5...so I go high or low depending on the mood. I am currently considering the 435. How do you like them in general and paired with 901? Do you have any other top iems to compare? You can contact me by PM if it goes too much out of the 901 subject....thanks

No worries. It pairs well because the richness of the SQ fits the 435, which is so transparent. I have also tried it with the TG334, which is ok but maybe not as much synergy. The DAP also pairs well with the equally transparent AKG 3003. I also like it with the FAD fibass. Hope that helps!

No worries. It pairs well because the richness of the SQ fits the 435, which is so transparent. I have also tried it with the TG334, which is ok but maybe not as much synergy. The DAP also pairs well with the equally transparent AKG 3003. I also like it with the FAD fibass. Hope that helps!

Are you saying that 901 pairs well with neutral/bright, analytical, clear, transparent iems well?

No worries. It pairs well because the richness of the SQ fits the 435, which is so transparent. I have also tried it with the TG334, which is ok but maybe not as much synergy. The DAP also pairs well with the equally transparent AKG 3003. I also like it with the FAD fibass. Hope that helps!

Thanks a lot. I pmd you.

On ano5her5 topic I updated to 1.081b from 1.080 and it works great...significantly faster I would say. More or less everything works now. All tags and album art are fine.

Only problems I have are the following: the now playing menu does not really memorize the last song played when you turn the DAP off which is annoying.
In the album view, if an album has several artists, the album appears as many times as there are artists.

Some 3.5 plugs have a steel pin for the central pin to make them stronger. So the left channel is going through steel rather than brass or some other non ferrous metal. Most TRRS I have run across have this because of the smaller amount of metal or thinner due to four conduction points in the same 3.5 plug vs. the TRS with just three. Also they often use something in the plating that can be magnetic, even in the real expensive stuff, so I always check with a magnet.